Roosters survive Canberra's challenge to reach third straight NRLW grand final

The Sydney Roosters kept their perfect season alive on Saturday night, 26 September, holding off a determined Canberra Raiders 20–10 at Allianz Stadium to reach a third consecutive NRLW grand final.

The minor premiers, who won all 11 regular-season games, will meet defending premiers Brisbane in the grand final. The Broncos beat the Gold Coast Titans 20–8 at Robina on Sunday 27 September, setting up a rematch of last year's decider, which Brisbane won 22–18.

A fast start

Jayme Fressard, back after missing three matches with a hand injury, opened the scoring within the first three minutes (reports differ on whether it was the second or third minute). In the 19th minute Tarryn Aiken forced an error, captain Isabelle Kelly made a 70-metre break and was brought down by a hair pull, and from the resulting penalty Rima Butler crashed over from short range. Jocelyn Kelleher's conversion made it 10–0.

Canberra answered late in the first half. Krystal Blackwell, who had left the field minutes earlier with a bloody nose, returned and took a Zahara Temara pass through a gap. The Roosters led 10–4 at half-time.

The second-half swing

Fressard did not return after the break, remaining in the sheds for assessment on a shoulder injury; Taina Naividi moved to the wing.

In the 46th minute the Raiders thought Lili Boyle had scored. The Bunker found the ball had first been grounded on Brydie Parker's boot, and the on-field no-try decision stood.

In the 50th minute Kelleher put up a difficult bomb, Canberra let it bounce, and Jess Sergis pounced for her 17th try of the season to make it 16–4. Sergis then helped stop Bobbi Law and completed a one-on-one strip to win back possession.

Hollie-Mae Dodd scored from close range in the 60th minute to cut the margin to 16–10 and set up a tense finish. In the 68th minute Aiken spotted a gap and surged through to seal the win.

Analysis

Canberra applied sustained pressure after half-time but could not break the Roosters' defensive line, and that defence, more than the scoreline, was the story of the night. For Aiken the clinching try carried extra weight: she missed the 2025 grand final after rupturing her ACL, returned in round 1 this season, and now has the chance to guide the Roosters in a decider.

What it means

For Canberra, the loss ends a finals campaign that carried the Raiders to within one win of the grand final.

For the Roosters, retiring players Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott now have one more match, the grand final against Brisbane. After the preliminary final, Fressard's shoulder was the main injury concern for the Roosters.